Single channel auditory stimulation system
First Claim
1. A method of chronic auditory stimulation of the cochlea for imparting speech patterns comprising the steps of placing an active electrode and a ground electrode outside of and near the base of a cochlea of a patient, and energizing said electrodes with an electrical signal having a frequency band which is sufficient to define a speech pattern thereby establishing an electric field between said active electrode and said ground electrode.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Chronic auditory stimulation is achieved by establishing an electric field at the base of the cochlea whereby full speech patterns are imparted to a patient. Penetration of the cochlea is not required thereby reducing the risks in installing the implanted electrodes. In a preferred embodiment the electrodes are disc shaped with the ground electrode being larger than the active electrode. The active electrode is preferably placed in the round window at the base of the cochlea or on the promontory. The ground electrode is placed 2-10 mm from the active electrode to thereby confine the electric field. The interconnections to the electrodes are tissue compatible insulation covered wires thereby minimizing stimulation of cutaneous nerve fibers.
-
Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method of chronic auditory stimulation of the cochlea for imparting speech patterns comprising the steps of placing an active electrode and a ground electrode outside of and near the base of a cochlea of a patient, and energizing said electrodes with an electrical signal having a frequency band which is sufficient to define a speech pattern thereby establishing an electric field between said active electrode and said ground electrode.
-
4. A method of chronic auditory stimulation of the cochlea for imparting speech patterns comprising the steps of generating a first signal having predetermined amplitude and frequency dependent components corresponding to speech patterns,
transmitting said first signal to a subcutaneously implanted receiver, and applying said first signal as received by said receiver to a pair of spaced electrodes positioned outside of the cochlea whereby an electrical field is established for stimulating the cochlea in response to said speech patterns.
-
8. A system for chronic auditory stimulation comprising
transmission means for generating and transmitting a frequency band signal having predetermined amplitude and frequency dependent characteristics corresponding to speech signals, receiver means for receiving said frequency band signal, a plurality of electrodes configured for positioning outside of the cochlea for establishing an electric field near the base of the cochlea, and interconnection means connecting said receiver means and said plurality of electrodes whereby said electrodes respond to said frequency band signal and establish an electrical field for stimulating the cochlea in response to speech signals.
Specification